How I Learned the Importance of Having Thick Skin.

I’ve had a post like this in the works for what feels like years. And after reading through all of the comments on my reader survey from Friday, I felt like now was the perfect time to share it.

Most of the comments were so positive, you guys. And I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate each and every one of you and the love I genuinely feel from you all on a daily basis.

But some of the comments I received kind of felt like a punch in the stomach. And it just made me realize that there have been plenty of other times where I felt like this. Where I’ve read or heard something about me or my blog and I’ve had two choices; I could let it roll off my shoulders or I could let it eat away at me.

And if we’re being honest, it used to be the latter more times than not. No one wants to be disliked. And while I know and have always known that you can’t please everyone and not everyone is going to like you, it doesn’t make it easier.

But as time went on, I learned the importance of having thick skin. I reminded myself that I’ve always been real and honest with all of you. And that no matter what, you cannot please everyone.

I mean as bloggers, we know we are sharing our lives with the world. Not just through our blog posts but behind the scenes on social media. And while we share a lot, we don’t share everything. People are going to make their assumptions based on what they see and even what they don’t see. And that’s life. And while we can’t change what other people think about us, we can change how we react to it. We know ourselves better than anyone else and we shouldn’t question that because of something we see about ourselves online.

Have you ever had others make comments about your “obsession” with social media? Like “omg are you going to Instagram this?” or “don’t share this on Facebook yet!”

It’s frustrating because what they don’t understand is that social media is one of the ways we get to know our followers. We communicate with them through Snapchat or Instagram and create these relationships that also sound completely crazy to someone who doesn’t understand it. But some of the greatest people I know in this world are people that I’ve “met” online and “known” for 6 years. Crazy, maybe. But it’s just the way things are in this community.

But we share things about our lives. We don’t go posting people’s secrets or announcing their pregnancy before they can. So yes, it gets frustrating when someone makes a jab about our “obsession” with social media but I’ve learned that it’s a lack of understanding more so than a jab. And maybe they just need to understand why and how social media is important to my job.

Which brings me to my next point. One of the comments I received on the survey mentioned they disliked bragging. I am beyond blessed to be so passionate about my job. But I have never, ever wanted to come off “privileged” or “bragging” about the opportunities and things I get to do in relation to my job. And I’m not even sure if this is how the comment was directed. But I want you all to know that if I have ever come off in a way where I’ve been bragging, please accept my sincerest apologies. I think maybe there have been times when I’ve been super excited and even more so, proud of something I’ve accomplished. And I’ve wanted to share it because dang it, I work my butt off! But please know that I would never waive something in the air just to brag.

Blogging is such a unique concept. I mean, a lot of it is still new and unchartered territory and we’re all learning as we go. I’ve been doing this for 6 years and y’all have seen me do a lot of growing up. I’m not proud of some of the things I’ve written in the past. In fact, I’m down right embarrassed by some of it.

But that’s part of the journey. Looking back at who I was and who I am today is surreal. Because I’m still the same person today as I was back then but at the same time, I’m so, so different. And you’ve all been there to see it unfold.

I choose to share my life. I know that not everyone is going to like it or agree with it. There are some things I don’t share and some things I only share snippets of. But at the end of the day, I’m just a regular person. I’m a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, etc. And over the years, I’ve become more comfortable with that.

I’m not a celebrity.

I don’t think I’m better than anyone else.

I make mistakes.

I sometimes cuss more than I should.

I’m overly sensitive. Which means I cry. A lot.

I sometimes forget to think before I speak. Or I let my emotions do the talking…

I can lose my temper.

I love hard.

I’m just me. A 30-year old mama trying to raise tiny humans, be a good wife, and inspire other women to be themselves and embrace it.

If you want to fill out the reader survey, you can do it here. I’ll be choosing a few winners and sending you a little surprise in the mail. A small token of my appreciation for being so awesome.